Electron discharge device



Feb. 22, 1949. H. A. ANDRESEN ELECTRON DISCHARGE DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1' Filed May 28, 1945 N E X H v M 0 4 xx... N R E y, #4 MN NM m m b a m w m M m Feb. 22, 1949. ANDRESEN ELECTRON DISCHARGE DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 28, 1945 Patented Feb. 22, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRON DISCHARGE DEVICE Hilmar A. Andresen, Chicago, Ill.

Application May 28, 1945, Serial No. 596,233

11 Claims.

This invention relates to an electron discharge device and more particularly to an electron discharge device in which at least one control element is separated from an electron stream in the device by a dielectric material.

One of the principal features and objects of the present invention is to provide an electron discharge device of novel design in which current in the control element circuit is substantially eliminated.

Another object of the present invention is to providea novelelectron discharge device in which the control grid or control electrode is separated from an electron streamv in the discharge device by a shield of some suitable dielectric material, such for example as glass.

A further objectof the present invention is to provide a novel electron discharge device including a cathode, an anode and a control grid in which the control grid is shielded by a dielectric material.

Another and further object of the present invention is to provide a novel electron discharge device including an anode, a cathode and acontrol grid, the control grid being mounted on the exterior surface of a passageway formed of a dielectric material, such for example as glass, and through which passageway the electrons pass from the cathode to the anode.

Another and still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel electron discharge device in which at least one of the control electrodes is 'imbedded in a dielectric material.

Still another and further object of the present invention is to provide a novel electron discharge device including a cathode and a plurality of anodes arranged around the cathode, and 'a plurality of control electrodes shielded from the electron path by dielectric material.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel .electrondischarge device of the type last mentioned in which at least one anode .is connected to the controlelectrode asso oiated with another anode.

A .still further object of the present invention is to provide .a novel electrondischarge device and circuit for receiving and detecting radio waves.

The novel features which I believe to he characteristic of .my invention are set forth with particularity in the appendedclaims. .Myinvention itself, however, both as to its manner of construction and method of operation, together with further objects and advantagesthereof, may best 'be understood by reference to the following .de-

scription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of an electron discharge device embodying the novel teachings of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of an electron discharge device of the type shown in Figure 1 connected and arranged to receive and detect radio waves;

Figure 3 is a view similar to the portion of the diagram of Figure 2 which relates to the electron discharge device and shows a variation in the structure thereof;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic illustration of a second embodiment of the present invention in which the control electrode is outside of the evacuated envelope; Figure 5 is a fragmentary diagrammatic illustration of a third embodiment of the present in vention in which the control electrode is imbedded in a dielectric material; and

Figure 6 is a further diagrammatic illustration of the electron discharge device shown in Figure 5.

Referring now toFigures l and 2, there is illustrated therein an electron discharge device I0 having an evacuated envelope ll mounted on a base 2 with the usual connection prong l3 protruding from the lower end thereof. Mounted within the evacuated envelope H are a plurality of anodes l4, l5 and I6, a plurality of control electrodes [1, l8 and I9, and a directly heated cathode 20. In so far as the present invention is concerned either a directly heated cathode or an indirectly heated cathode may be used, but merely for the purposes of illustration a directly heated cathode has been shown.

As may readily be seen from an inspection of Figures 1 and ,2 of the drawings, the anodes l4, l5 and I6 are mounted symmetrically about'the cathode 20, or in other words, in position substantially apart. Surrounding the cathode 20 is a tube or sleeve 2| of dielectric material, such for example as glass. Protruding from the side walls of the tube 2] are a plurality of throats 22, 23 and 24.. These throat portions '22, 23 and 24 gradually diverge as they extend radially out from the cylindrical member 2| and are linedup directly with the anodes l4, l5 and I6, respectively. It will furthermore be noted that the throat portions 22, 23 and 2,4 define passageways which directly open into the cylindrical member tube 2| and are arranged to permit the passage of electrons from the cathode .20 therethrough to mounted on the exterior surface of the throat" portions 22, 23 and 24, it will be observed that they are separated from the electron paths by a dielectric material, namely the material such as glass forming the throat portions 22, 23 and 24. The control electrodes I1, I8 and I9 separated from the electron path as they are by dielectric material suchas glass are believed to function as electrostatic inductors. That is, the throat portions 22, 23 and 24 alter the electric potential distribution within the tube only to the extent associated with the dielectric constant of the material of which they are composed. Thus, variations in the potential of the control electrodes l1, l8 and I9 alter the electric fields between cathode and the anodes |4, I5 and I6 to vary the space current flow therebetween. It has been found in practice that the throats 22, 23 and 24 should extend into close proximity to the anodes I4, l5 and I6 and that the metal bands or control elements I8 and I9 should not extend close tothe radial outer ends of the throat portions 22, 23 and 24.

It has further been found in practice that I an electron discharge device formed in the manner just described provides an extremely fine detector and amplifier of radio waves and its use as such is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 2. Morespecifically the electron discharge device I0 is connected through conductors 25 and 26 to a source of potential 27 for heating the cathode 20. An antenna 28 is connected to a tuned circuit including an inductance 29 and condenser 30 being connected in parallel in a conventional manner and having its lower end grounded as at 3|. 29, 3|] is connected through the conductor 32 to the control electrode associated with the anode I4 which lies nearest to the cathode 29. The other side of the tuned circuit 29, 30 isconnected through the conductor 25 to the cathode 20.

An anode biasing voltage force, such for example as the B-battery 33 is provided. Since it is desirable to .provide progressively increasing anode biasing potentials between the anodes I4, l5 and IS the potential source 33 is connected to a potentiometer 34. The high side of potentiometer 34, in other words the high side of the battery 33 is connected through sound reproducing means 35 which may, for example, be'a pair of earphones. The low end of, the potentiometer 34 is connected to the negative side of the battery 33 and also to ground as at 35. Two intermediate movable contacts 3! and 38 are provided. The movable contact 31' is connected to the anode I4 while the movable contact 38 is connected to the anode I5. The anode potentials may therefore be conveniently adjusted; The output circuit of the anode M is connected internally of the device I0 through a conductor 39 to the control electrode |8. The output circuit; of the anode I5 is connected internally of the device through a conductor 49 The tuned antenna circuit 4. to the control electrode l9. The output circuit of the anode I6 is connected to the sound reproducing means 35.

The radio waves picked up by the antenna 28 are impressed on the first control electrode I! where they are detected and amplified. They are then further amplified by a portion of a device which includes the control electrode 8 and the anode I5 and finally still further amplified by the portion of-a device which includes the control electrode I9 of an anode I5.

Tests have shown that when control electrodes are used as described above substantially no grid current is present, even when the control electrodes do not have any negative bias with respect to the cathode 20. This indicates that the throats serve to deflect electrons that would otherwise flow to the relatively positive control electrodes. It has further been found that with a single tube and circuit such, for example, as that shown in Fig. 2, that enough' power is obtained from the output of the anode I6 to directly drive a loud speaker and give substantial volume output.

In Fig. 3 of the drawing a variation of the electron discharge device is shown wherein the central sleeve surrounding the cathode 20 is triangular in cross-section as at 4|. j This permits the throat portions to terminate at their inner ends closer to the cathode 20. A further variation is shown by the control electrode I! in Figure 3. More particularly the hand forming the control .electrode I1 is flared at its radial inner end so as to lie partially against the wall of the triangular sleeve 4|, and thus presents a greater surface area against the dielectric material lying nearest to the cathode 20. II desired, this may be done on all of the control electrodes.

A second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings. More particularly, the electron discharge device shown in. Figure 4is a tube the general, appearance of those sometimesreferred to Acorn and includes an evacuated envelope 4| having a central portion 42 in which the cathode 20 is housed and a. plurality of projectingtubular portions 43, 44 and of increasingly greater radial extent. The tubular portion 43 includes 'an' anode 46. The tubular portion 44 includes an anode 41 and the tubular portion 45 includes an anode 48. It will be observed that the anodes 46, 41 and 48 and the cathode 20 are all housed within the evacuated envelope 4|. The control electrodes 49, 5B and 5|, however, are mounted exteriorly of the tubular portions 43, 44 and 45 and hence are not within the evacuated envelope 4| but rather lie on the exterior surface thereof. The operation and functioning of the electron discharge device as shown in Figure 4 is similar to that describedin connection with Figures 1 and 2 and willnot be repeated. l

A third embodiment of the invention is illustrated inv Figs. 5 and 5 c1, the drawings. More particularly, the electron discharge device shown therein maybe housed for example in an evacuated envelope I such as the envelope I of Figure l. Mounted within the envelope II is a directly heated cathode 2'0, atleast one anode 52, and at least one control electrode 53 which is imbedded in a loop or ring of dielectric material 54. Where more than one 'anode'and more than one control electrode is employed, they may. be connected,, for example, as described in" connection with the other embodiments of the invention. More particularly, in addition to the anode 52 and the control electrode 53 additional anodes 55 and Eli-may be provided. as well as additional control electrodes 51 and 58. The control electrode 51 may be imbedded in an insulating material, such for exampleas glassas at 59, while the control electrade 58 is imbedded in a ring of dielectric material. 60in a similar manner.

In theappended claims I have used the term encircling to denote a partial loop as well as a complete-loop about the object encircled.

WhilezI have shown and described several particular embodiments of my invention, it will, of course, be understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto, since many modifications may be made, and" I, therefore, contemplate by the appended claims to cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. An electron discharge device comprising a cathode, an anode and a control electrode, said control electrode being imbedded in a ring of glass disposed around the normal path of flow of electrons.

2. An electron discharge device comprising a cathode, a sleeve of dielectric material surrounding said cathode, an open throat of dielectric material extending outwardly from said sleeve and opening into said sleeve, an anode disposed opposite the outer open end of said throat, and a control electrode mounted between said cathode and said anode and exteriorly of said throat.

3. An electron discharge device comprising a cathode, a sleeve of dielectric material surrounding said cathode, an open throat of dielectric material extending outwardly from said sleeve and opening into said sleeve, an anode disposed opposite the outer open end of said throat and spaced therefrom, and a control electrode extending around said throat and exteriorly thereof.

4. An electron discharge device comprising a cathode, a sleeve of dielectric material surrounding said cathode, an open throat of dielectric material extending outwardly from said sleeve and opening into said throat, an anode disposed opposite the outer end of said throat and spaced therefrom and a control electrode mounted intermediate the length of said throat, extending around said throat and overlying the exterior surface thereof.

5. An electron discharge device comp-rising a cathode, a sleeve of dielectric material surrounding said cathode, a plurality of open throats extending outwardly from said sleeve and each opening into said sleeve, a plurality of anodes,

there being one anode opposite the outer open end of each of said throats, and a, plurality of control electrodes mounted between said cathode and said anode and disposed exteriorly of said throats.

6. An electron discharge device comprising a cathode, asleeve of dielectric material surrounding said cathode, a plurality of open throats of dielectric material extending outwardly from said sleeve and opening into said sleeve, a plurality of anodes, there being an anode disposed opposite the outer open end of each of said throats and spaced therefrom, a plurality of control electrodes including at least one control electrode and surrounding each of said throats lying on the exterior surface thereof, said discharge device having one of said control electrodes connected to an input circuit, and having each of the other con-- trol electrodes connected to the preceding: anode in said discharge device.

7. An electron discharge device comprising a cathode, a sleeve of dielectric material surroundingsaid cathode, a plurality of open throats of dielectric material extending outwardly from said sleeve and'opening into said sleeve, a plurality of anodes, there being an anode disposed opposite the outer open end of each of said throats and spaced therefrom, a'plurality of control electrodes including'at least one control electrode and surrounding eachv of said: throatslying on the, exterio'r surface thereof, said discharge. device having one of said control electrodes connected to an input circuit, a second control electrode being connected to the anode of said input electrode 'anda third control electrode being connected to the anode connected to said second control electrode, the anode with said third control electrode being connected to the output circuit of the electron discharge device.

8. An electron discharge device comprising a cathode, a sleeve of dielectric material surround ing said cathode, a plurality of open throats of dielectric material extending outwardly from said sleeve and opening into said sleeve, a plurality of anodes, there being an anode disposed opposite the outer open end of each of said throats and spaced therefrom, a plurality of control electrodes including at least one control electrode and surrounding each of said throats lying on the exterior surface thereof, said discharge device having one of said control electrodes connected to an input circuit, a second control electrode being connected to the anode of said input electrode and a third control electrode being connected to the anode connected to said second control electrode, the anode connected to said third control electrode being connected to the output circuit of the electron discharge device, and means for supplying positive bias potential to each of said anodes, the bias potential supplied to said anode connected to said second control electrode being greater than the bias potential supplied to the anode connected to said first control electrode, and the bias potential supplied to the anode connected to said third control electrode being greater than that supplied to either of said other anodes.

9. An electron discharge device comprising a cathode, a sleeve of dielectric material surrounding said cathode, a plurality of open throats extending outwardly from said sleeve and opening into said sleeve, a plurality of anodes, there being one anode disposed opposite the outer end of each of said throats, and a plurality of control electrodes, there being one control electrode mounted on the exterior surface of and surrounding each of said throats, said anodes being disposed at different distances away from said cathode and said throats bein of different lengths to correspond to the different distances which said anodes are disposed from said cathode.

10. An electron discharge device including in combination, a lengthy cathode, a lengthy anode spaced from said cathode with its length substantially parallel to the length of" said cathode, a dielectric body having a passage directed transverse to the length of said cathode and said anode to define a pathway for electron flow therehetween, and a control electrode encircling said dielectric body to establish a field therein to control electron flow through said passage.

11. In combination, an electron discharge device having a lengthy cathode, a lengthy anode spaced from said cathode with its length substantially parallel to the length of said cathode, a dielectric body having a passage directed transverse to the length of said cathode and said anode to define a pathway for electron flow therebetween, and a control electrode encircling said dielectric body to establish a field therein to control electron flow through said passage, means to render said control electrode relatively positive with respect to said cathode, the potential of said means varying in accord with a signal, means to render said anode positive with respect to said cathode to a relatively greater degree than said control electrode, and means responsive to the space current between said cathode and said anode to reproduce said signal.

HILMAR A. ANDRESEN.

8 REFERENCES arm!) The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

